* * Hi ! Nice Day ? * *
Advice On Getting The Most
Out of
The Weather Forecasts
Planning in Advance
The weather plays a large part in determining the enjoyment and outcome of a day in the hills. Although most people will only wish to venture onto the tops if the weather is good, there is also great satisfaction in venturing out in poor weather when the challenge of difficult navigation and experiencing nature's wilder side can be very rewarding. However, it is important that walkers and climbers are able to gather information about the weather and the possible conditions on the hills (particularly in winter) in order not to be caught out in conditions which they are unable to cope with.
This means planning in advance what clothing and specialist equipment (e.g. ice axe and crampons) may be needed as well as what route to take that day. Gathering weather information on a regular basis is therefore very important.
Winter
Walkers need to be able to build up a mental picture of the underfoot snow conditions that are likely to be encountered on the hill (even on different aspects of the hill). This entails keeping a close eye on the general weather as well as the avalanche reports over several days. The Avalanche Information Service has been set up to give an indication of the probability of avalanches occurring.
They cover the following areas:
- Glen Coe (including Glen Etive)
- Lochaber (including Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor)
- Northern Cairngorms (Northern Corries and Loch Avon basin)
- Creag Meagaidh (including Beinn a Chaorainn)
- Southern Cairngorms (including Lochnagar, Glen Shee, Beinn Avon or Beinn a'Bhuird)
Even if your base is not in the region of these areas then it is still worth gaining the reports as it is possible to extrapolate the information to other areas such as the west highlands, Torridon or other Northern Highland areas.
Obtaining weather Information
Weather and snow forecasts and general information needs to be available each day when you are on holiday in Scotland. Look to see that the proprietor of your accommodation can supply a regular updated forecast on a notice board (including retaining forecasts from the day before).
Walkers Welcome
Those B&B's, Hotels and Self Catering establishments who are part of the STB/MCofS Scheme should have a facility to post updated forecasts on notice boards.
Other Independents
The many Bunkhouses across Scotland who cater specifically for walkers and climbers will offer such facilities as well as more detailed and relevant information.
If this is not possible then proprietors should allow you as a resident to use the phone or fax (or TV) at the appropriate times.
De-mystifying the Meteorological Forecasts
The information given in the forecasts contains some specific terms for certain types of weather. To judge what these actually mean on the hill takes time and experience. The MCofS has produced other Information brochures and leaflets explaining this fully, including an Information Sheet giving basic advice about Weather Lore and how to assess possible changes from watching the sky.
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WEATHER FORECAST INFORMATION
Telephone recorded message forecasts
There are several options to receive mountain weather forecasts by phone or fax.
CLIMBline
provides five day weather forecasts, and in winter, climbing reports for the East and West Highlands of Scotland with two day reports for Snowdonia (Wales). Reports are updated twice
daily. Information includes wind speeds and directions, cloud base and freezing levels.
Information is also available by the Faxback service on the same numbers.
| West Highlands |
0891 333 198
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East Highlands |
0891 333 197
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(calls cost 45p/min cheap rate; 50p/min at other times)
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Wallet sized cards with these numbers and other information such as regional forecasts, ski hotline, cross-country ski-ing information and winter road weatherline, are available from outdoor shops, tourist information centres and other locations. Alternatively, contact the CLIMBline request-line for a free card, Tel. 0990 100 853.
MetCALL mountain & MetFAX mountain
The Met Office has a weather service for hillwalkers and mountaineers. Information is also available by the Faxback service on the same numbers
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West Highlands:
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Trossachs, Argyll, Lochaber, NW Highlands and Skye -
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0891 500 441
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East Highlands: |
Cairngorms and the Grampians East of Rannoch Moor -
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0891 500 442
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(calls cost 39p/min cheap rate, 49p/min at all other times)
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Wallet sized cards are available with numbers for regional 5-day and National forecasts as well as AA Roadwatch information. Contact the Met Office Helpline Tel. 01344 854 435
TV Weather Forecasts
General weather forecasts are given regularly throughout the day after regional News. BBC TV Scotland have started a specific mountaineering forecast on Friday evenings at 6.45pm. This gives details that are more helpful to walkers and climbers such as wind chill factors and wind speeds on summits, freezing levels, incidence of hill fog and cloud levels, etc.
Radio Weather Forecasts
Regular general weather forecasts are available with avalanche reports on local and national radio.
BBC Radio Scotland 92.4-94.7 FM provides good coverage.
Nevis Independent Radio 96.6 FM
Regular weather reports after the News all through the day (7.08am, 7.30am, 8.30am are particularly useful).
Ski and Avalanche reports are issued at 7.35am, 8.35am, 9.35am and 3.35pm.
Moray Firth Independent Radio 96.6 - 97.4 FM
Aberdeen North Sound Radio 96.9 - 97.6 FM
Scottish Avalanche Information Service
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Snow and avalanche reports are available daily direct from the following numbers : |
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Nevisport/SAIS Avalanche Information Service |
0800 096 0007(Free-phone)
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Police/SAIS Avalanche Information Line
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01463 713 191
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World Wide Web
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http://www.sais.gov.uk
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Ceefax and Oracle TV Information
Regular daily forecasts are provided on these systems, with five-day forecasts.
© The Mountaineering Council of Scotland 1998
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